Columbus baseball expecting deep playoff run

MARSHFIELD – After early postseason exits since making a state tournament appearance four years ago, the Columbus Catholic High School baseball team is looking to make a deep playoff run this season.

“We lost two seniors last year, but then we bring in a couple other guys and a couple of those freshmen that go to sophomores got bigger and stronger, so, yeah, I’m expecting a very deep run,” Head Coach Jared Krasselt told Hub City Times recently. “We’ve run into a few buzz saws the last couple years. Pittsville – lost to them (last season) in the Regionals. They make it to State. The year before that we lose to a terribly-under-ranked Eleva-Strum team who goes on and wins State. We lost to them in the second round of the playoffs, 2-1. You know, baseball can be goofy. One day you have an off day with an undefeated team and you go home.”

“Conference is going to be very difficult,” he added. “Neillsville is tough. Loyal, the returning champs, return a lot of guys. So, yeah, we’ve got our work cut out for us in conference, which is also a fun grind, so I’m excited for that challenge.”

Krasselt, now in his seventh year, thinks he has the lineup to rise up to that challenge this season.    

Ray Becker, a second team all-conference selection a year ago, has been in the leadoff spot in the early part of this season, and is playing the outfield and doing some catching defensively.

“Really hit his stride last year,” Krasselt told us. “Plays a really solid center field and he’s also our backup catcher.”

Mac Konieczny, the No. 2 batter, is coming off back-to-back first team all-conference seasons.

“Just one of those guys that you just love to have,” Krasselt said. “Wherever you put him, he’s going to give you his best. For me, he epitomizes what I want. Just a phenomenal kid. Works his tail off. A truly hard-working kid and the results show.”

Carson Eckes, the leadoff hitter a year ago, has found early-season success batting third.

“I thought he did such a good job putting the ball in the gap, hitting the ball hard, wanted to get him more opportunities with runners in scoring position or with runners on,” Krasselt told us. “His work ethic in the weight room, his concentration, his attention to detail in the cage is unmatched, so I’m excited to see what he can doing going forward.”

Freshman Tyler Hargraves has moved up and down in the lineup so far this year, but has shown some early promise.

“He’s had some really good experiences with some good travel teams,” says Krasselt. “He’s a big kid, but he’s a really, really good kid. Very talented. He’s going to, defensively and offensively, be a lot for us.”

Devlin Timmler is a returning three-sport athlete who gives the Dons versatility.

“Ate up a lot of innings for us last year,” Krasselt recalled. “He’s always been our non-conference attacker. Hopefully we’re going to get him some more conference starts this year pitching. Good first baseman, good third baseman, can help out anywhere in the outfield as well.”

Carter Sommer is another pitching option who can also play multiple positions.

“Tall, lanky kid. Puts the ball in play, gets a lot of balls that a lot of people don’t,” Krasselt told us. “And his pitching angle is extremely different and hard to pick up for some of the opposing teams, so it’s fun having him on the mound.”

One of Krasselt’s hardest-working players off the field is Ryan Bernick.

“Extremely strong kid. Works his tail off in the weight room,” Krasselt observed. “Very gifted kid. Not super baseball talented I would say, but if you want a worker, right there is the epitome of a hard-working high school kid. He doesn’t do a winter sport, but there was never a day that he was not in that weight room after school. Eats fastballs in the shoulder. He’s kind of refining his skills a little bit more swing-wise and defensively, so that’s a huge plus for us as a program.”

Sophomore Rocco Maher is anchoring left field in the early part of the season.

“Great kid, phenomenal speed, had a solid year last year,” Krasselt added. “Rocco, defensively, can play pretty much anywhere. Very happy with his baseball knowledge. Another three-sport athlete that works his tail off and very excited to see him progress as he gets a year older.” 

Krasselt says Brock Wieland, Kayleb Pankratz and Holden Lomax are pinch hitting and will platoon in right field.

Timmler, Eckes and Konieczny have been anchoring the pitcher’s mound early on in the season, while Bernick, Sommer and Becker are getting their share of innings as well.

“Very deep for a smaller school,” said Krasselt. “I feel like any of those top four guys I’d have confidence in any day of the week against any opponent, so I’m excited for that. Rocco Maher, too, will be able to chew up some innings. At a small school, everybody’s kind of expected to pitch or be ready to pitch. Coach (Eric) Becker does a phenomenal job getting those guys mentally ready and physically ready, so we’re attacking the strike zone with those guys and getting after hitters.”

Besides Becker, Krasselt’s coaching staff includes Pat Nikolai and Jarred Mandel.